Lubricating system



April 2, 1935,

J. BIJUR LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed ma 13, 1929 2 sheets-s een v M MI ATTORNEYS A ril 2, 1935. J. BIJUR 1,995,059

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed May 13, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

INVENYTOR Law 1% 13 v 4 BY ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 2, 1935 1,996,060' LUBRICATING, SYSTEM Joseph Bijur, New York, N. Y., assignor to Auto [Research Ctn poration, a corporation of Dela- Application May 13, 1929,"Serial No. 362,567-

' 28 Claims, (01.184-47) My present inventionis concerned primarily with" central lubricating systems, 'more particularly for motor vehicles, such as automobiles and while not limited'thereto, it relates especially to 5 automatically controlle'dsystems, that. is, to systerms that feed lubricant to the; bearings during the running, of the vehicle,,without the --need for any'consci'ous, manipulation by'the user.

i A system of the above type, the. operation of which'requires-no conscious operation ormanipulation" other than occasionally refilling a supply reservoir, is apt to be neglected even in this particular in the absence of somemeans automatically indicating depletion; squeaks are only one manifestation, of; other difilculties resulting from allowing bearings to 'run without lubricant. 1 Dry bearings are apt to pick up. or rub off brass from the, bushings, so that the bolts, king pins, and similar. parts, may become scored or roughened and may also develop rust. If the dryness of the lubricating systemis allowed to per-:

sist' for longer periods, there is the additional risk that dust and dirt will accumulate inerevices or passages to such extent .as to cake or block and thus prevent free passage of oil when the system is next replenished withlubricant. The various lubricated assemblieswould then have to be taken apart and cleaned inorder' to insure reliable feedlot lubricantto the bearingsurfaces. k a Itis accordingly important that thelubricating system should at all times be kept filled and that the driver should'receive effective warning when refilling'becomes necessary.

' Thereforeit is an object of the invention to provide in av lubricating system and more par ticularly in an automatic feed lubricating sys-' tem, means to give automatic notice of ,dis-' tinct or marked character, easily perceived by the driver atthe wheelwithout inspectionof the reservoir itself.

Another object is to provide a pressure actu ated indicator suitable for a continuousfeed lubricating system of the type-in which the pro-.-

pulsive pressure may be as low as a smallfraction of apound; l y Another object is toprovide an indicator of the'above type that will accurately discriminate for all practical purposes betweenconditions' of lubricant feed to the bearings and, cessation of feed. 1 a f Another object is to provide apparatus or means of theabove type of simple and inexpensive construction, dependable to give an indica- .to'lack oflubrioant; 1 1 V In one embodimentthe'pressure:onja part or the system is artificially. maintained duringnorage ofthe battery is thus 'avoided.

tion or alarm upon depletion of' lubricant, and'to give'no false indication, regardless .of' the :vary--.

ing conditions of vehicle operation, as longas a suiiicient supply of lubricant remains.

Another object is to provide an indicator .or alarm or the above' ty'pe, the action of which shall not'be' impaired. by heat; by moisture'or by vibration.

. Another objection is'to provide a system of the above type, which when utilizingan elec trically operated signal will avoid waste of bat tery current 'whilethe vehicle is out of use, and

which will promptly resume indicating 'operativeness should the lubricant supply not-be re plenished by thetir'ne. the Vehiclelis; again .put

into service. Other objectsiare in partobvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

' A feature. of th'e invention is to render the indicator responsive to pressure existingin some part of the lubricant distributing system throughout: normal operation thereof. "The lin dicator may be either of the pressure-gauge type orof'the electric type-, set into action by electric circuit closure under release of pressure cue mal operation of the vehicle even though the distributing parts of'the system are at the low I pressure desirable for systems'of the continuous feedtype. "Q Preferably a spring-seated valve is interposed between the'pum'p and the branched distributing system, said valve having a definite seating pres-'- sure and determining. .1-.he 1 pressure controlling the signal or indicator. Inasmuch as this valve in the absence of other precautions will maintain such pressure throughout, even though pumping operation proceed with'the supply ofg lubricant exhausted, means is provided automaticallya'nd slowly to release such trapped-pressure after operation has ceased. For this purpose, either the said loadingvalve or the outlet valve'of the a v supply pump, is provided witha highlyrestricted bleeding aperture in its seat through'whicl'i the relief occurs.

Where the indicator is of the electric type, its circuit is preferably interlocked with that of the.

ignition system so that relief of pressure by the bleeder'will. not cause signal operation after the vehicle has been put out of service, and drain;-

In operation accordingly,'-'while=the s'ystem'is functioning properly theielectric signal is main-5' tained inactive by vthe-counter-pressure due to. r

the artificially loaded inlet of thedistributing line. Should the supply of lubricant becomeydepleted'during the vehicle run,

wouldcease, but the artificial load would ma in oil propulsion tain counter pressure until relief thereof by leakjage, whereupon the electric circuit would close 'togive a signal, sustained until after the engine .had been stopped,.or normal operation resumed,

'. type the outlet valve or an accumulator is snapped With the lubricant reservoir refilled; V

In the application to a system of the shot feed open upon completion, ofits charge from the without theneedfor a distinct loading valve.

pump, to allow the accumulator spring to eject the effective charge into the .distributing system I and then to snap'the outlet avalveplosed.

In this embodiment the counter-pressure V caused'by the accumulator, brings about the gauge or electric signal indication or alarm,

In the accompanying drawings in which are shown one ;or more lot various :possible embodiinents .of the :-several creatures .=of thiszinvention,

' a preferred form or drip plug used with theernbodiment ofFig.1. t-

V :8 ;is la new ;in =side' elevation, with :parts broken lawaynnd iinzs'ection, showing ,a (construction. or automatic pump zunitcandlgauge construc- Vtion employed in ;the embodiment .of Fig. -1.

.3Fig93d iiS a sectional yiew of a detail of '3' S altis .a perspective viewshowinga fragment r ,of one type of installation applied :toa'oontinu 2'5 ous'deedlsystem. V a A Fig; 2 zisia yiew in longitudinal cross section 'bf onva larger scale, V

: :Ii'ig. 4 :is a diagrammatic viewishowing another.

Embodiment, pants appearing .in section, others broken away. 1 :Figsfi a diagram tof zcircuit connection in the embodiment ofiFigqAmnda ,6 is .adia'grammatic view :showing ,parts in detail of an application of the invention intormittentiorsshot tedlsy'stem. a

to an .In :1 of the idrawings'there indicated" diagrammatically 1 an automatic flubricating. I system including arlub'rica'nt reservoir 1l0-;-i1lustra-' tiydlyzmountedaatrthe g frontof the dashboard and -a distributing system, a. iragrm'ent oi' whichiappearsvat lslLiSince tthespecific arrangea ment by which :automaticity is [effected is not 60} -'for the sake of clearness illustratively indicated material to the innention :rherein claimed, :1 have in a nunely diagrammatic manner only .one :of

carious 'znossible :a t 'gements for attaining this actiorr t. 3 I 2111-11 andzS is shown'an embodiment more particularly fsuitedrfor a central ,-lupr.icating gsys; 1 om ZOI :the continuous teed as distinguished lz from'l ones-sot :the intermittentor shot food type. :Ifbe

7 trump :18 here actuated i at frequent lintervalswto Hi rs s ance to flow isldetermined @by' a i ll il inearly filling :a lon itudinal zboreain the fitting,

and headed 5 at {I8 ".130 gmaihtaiined in place;

l 7 A strainer plug ikfllatqtheinlet not jonly prevents theicrevice determined 1 by the-:pin dram T clogging,

V 1 but'ike'eps :theepintingplacel P lead a repeated succession aof zminute =charges into ,the mine dinette ithe lbearings; i The outlets in thi embodiment may be .of the restrictionior :Dlug tyneand these drip mu s may :be' either devoid-Jot valves or have suction, s ated 'ml es o h type sh wn; ,Ior instanc :in 'patents Nos. 1,732,212 and 1,746,139.

. .The vd lip Plu -.c.ompni ses-a fitting .15 with a threaded end 5H5 dor application a th be new resen'vqir of ;3 ,iillustratively aincludes V a diaphragm ZO nearthe upper end thereof connected by. a pipe 2| for application*thereat of i suction from'the 'intake manifold of the engine. The pump plunger 23 extends downward into pump block 26 is connected by rod 25 to diaphragm 20' andcis lifted for pump charge byupward fiexure of thediaphragm, and caused to'discharge :by expansion of @the ,;spring 12;which is v te.ssec1:insuch upward fissure.- V

In the present embodiment the pump block 26 protrudes ,below the reservoir and has ,a lateral elbow outlet fitting 21 therein, to the arm 28 of 'whioh-"pipe line is connected which leads to thepressuregauge ,G. A second fitting 30v is afiixedinanends ocket 29 offitting' 21 and feeds tothe distributing. piping I ll flfhe outlet fitting 30 is preferably provided I with aball outlet check valve 3| urged" against inserted-seat piece ,32 by a coil spring 33 reacting against a shoulder 34 within the fitting.

: The pump outletmay be -provided with afcheck valve 35 illustratively a; ball #in' the' stem 01? relbow fitting land urged aga'ins't lits seat 1by-ascoil spring 36 .reacting a'ga'inst "shoulder 1, said valve preventing suction iin the'ilin'ejfi' in the charging 1 strokeof ,the pump" 1 1 The putlet check waive seated with a spring pressure say ot .20 'pounds, it exerts a corresponding :counter ;pressure when overcome, :by the pump-during deed o'f lubricant-to the=distr 1'buting system. The gauge responding to the pressure iexerteduagainst \valve' 31 will register a substantial pressure of 20 pounds or"=.more throughout normal operationof the vehicle.

'This registration willb'e' maintained even though a a substantialninterva'l occur'between successive strokes of the pump during normal operation :of the vehicleia'nd *the gauge G, accordingly will show no =violent fluctuation, th'ough theipum'p operate at irregular intervals: 7

in the lab nce of other --preoautions the pres sure sustained in :the' pump bl0ck passageswoi1ld remain at all times-at :thefwalue determined by the Eloading ivalvc, showing safet'y' condition, due

to thekpressure trap,-and even tho'ugh the supply of lubricantsin the ;resery 'oirhad ibeendepleted. 'Accordingly,'thevalve seatfin'sert 32 is provided ,jwith a. vent, illustratively h hly restrioteulperipheral groove MI determininga resistant helif v cal passage-which will slowly relieve the pressure otherwise maintained by the spring-seatedcheck valVe,-so-that arter a -period -'of. say from fi -minutes to an hour, the pressure --in the passages -of;the

pumo block :26 will have' been relieved and the gauge, G will returnoto a low-reading position;

' Thus, kevenwith the reservoir -ful1yv charged with lubricant, thegauge will, nevertheless, Fre tumuto lo'w reading oraerofpositionafter the vehicle has been leftuout of service, saylover while theilubricant pressure 'buildup and the gauge will show the normal operative readindicates the needg fo'r replenishment. It during the ,run of :the vehicle, the? lubricant-should give a 1 out, lthis uwill be indicated by the falling'off ;or

ingfl: 'I he failure oihthegauge quickly to pick up dropping of, the gauge-reading within a *iew minutes after effective pumping has ceased, that is, upon relie'f dueto bleeding past )the helical grodvilfl. 5 The pressure :in

may :vary with the system shown from but a few ounces in summer Ltoten or'more pounds incold e I e the pipe system, causing the substantially continuous emission to the bearings nightmiwhenth'evehicle isag'ainrunbuta short 5 1 The volume discharged by pump 23 is so small and the force exerted by spring 22 so high, that the discharge takes place relatively rapidly even when the oil becomes viscous in winter use. The counter pressure to pass oil by the ball is low compared to that capable' of being generated by thepump. Accordingly the system operates for nearly the same rate of feed' to the bearings, under the usual range of climatic variation. Said valve however maintains the pressure requisite for effective gauge reading, notwithstanding the variability of pressure in the distributing line and the extremely low values to which such pressure may'drop. 1

In Fig. 4 is shown an application of the invention to an electric instead of a pressure gauge indicator. Instead of the gauge 1 have in this embodiment shown anelectricci-rcuit closer unit comprising a casing 4| havinga cover 52 screwed 'thereinto and clamping the periphery of a diaphra grn 43in place. Centrally through the base of the case is an insulating bushing 44 through which extends an electric terminal post 45, the

inner contact end of which coacts with a contact'stud 46 in the middle of the diaphragm. A coil spring 41 in a corresponding socket 48 in the cover urges the diaphragm to circuit closing position. A mounting screw 59 through the cover 62 abuts a washer 58 sustaining the spring 4? so that by'adjustment of screw 59 the spring 41 may be regulated.

Thecase has a pressure inlet socket 49 into which is screwed the terminal of the pipe section tension of 50 leading fror'n'the pump P. j A pressure outletaffording a coupling connection to theend of pipe p at 56.

In pump operation the valve 53 is overcome, for emission to the distributing pipe the'rebe'yond and regardless how low the pressure in said distributing system, valve 53 sustains pressure during the continued operation of the pump, where by the diaphragm 43 is deflected to open circuit as shown.

In the absence of other precautions this pressure would be sustained and theucircuit closer maintained open due to the trapping of lubricant under pressure by thevalve 53 so that-there would be no indication even though the pump continued operating without lubricant in the reservoir.

'Accordingly, a restricted bleeder is provided for the pressure trap. In this embodiment I have illustratively shown the bleeder 'not at the counter pressure valve 53 but at the seat of the check valve 35' (illustratively shown aligned with the pump piston) through which the pipe length 56 is fed by the pump. The seat 5! of the valve 35' is provided with a peripheral helical groove 53 substantially as in Fig. 3. I I I The control of the signal from the circuit closer 4| is shown in'the circuit diagram of Fig. 5. The case 4! is grounded and the'binding post 45 is connected by a lead wire Gil-to one terminal of an electric lamp 61 preferably at the dashboard, the otherterminal of which is connected by lead wire 62 to one terminal of the ignition switch 63 the" other terminal of which is, of

. course, connected to the battery 54 which is grounded at 65. In front of the lamp there is preferably-a ground glass disk 65 bearingthe normally invisible legend Refill Chassis Lubricator or equivalent words. V

In operation, as long as the engine is running with lubricant in the reservoir P, pressure sus tained by the valve 53 maintains diaphrag1n-43- defiected'toopen-circuit position. After the vehicle is put up say for the night and the bleeder valve 35 of the pump has relieved pressure, the

between the battery and the lamp is not co'rn pleted. Waste of storage battery current is thus avoided; Y I w When, however, vehicle operation is resumed,

' the closureof the ignition switch causes the s'ignal to flash, and pressure will not build up by pump operation when the reservoir is empty so that the contacts remaihfclosed and the signal efiective. If the"lubri'cant should become depleted during a continuous run :of the vehicle, then, a few minutes after such depletionhas occurred the bleeder valve 35 will have .sufiici'en'tly' relieved the pressure "so thatthecircuit-closer 45- -46 will make contact and thesignal will lightthus giving timely notice of the need for lubricant.

In the embodimentjof Fig. 4 the oil is passed through. the circuit closer head, through a. shal low space preferably above the diaphragm? as shown. The trapping of air is thus avoidedfand oil pressure is' promptly and uniformly transe mitted through a relatively incompressible" col umn of oil to the various drip plugo-utlets, with I out the fluctuations due to the alternate compression and expansion of trapped air.

The generic principleof the present invention particularly as embodied in Fig. 3 is shown ap plied to an intermittent or shot system embodiment as described in my copending application Serial No. 323,867 filed December 5, 1928. V 7

Such application appears,'in part, diagramf matically, in Fig; 6. The feed pump which may be of the same construction as that shown in Figs. 3 and l (and corresponding elements of which will be designated by the same reference numerals primed) is indicated at P andtliedistributing piping leading to the drip plugs at p.

Thevalvefi? has a bleederfseat as in the embodirnent of Fig. 4. Between'the feed pump and the piping there is interposed a unit U which I designate an accumulator. It may be briefly noted that this accumulator collects the succes sive minute charges delivered by the feed pump and only after a substantial charge has thus been accumulated does it snap {open orrelease to allow said charge to be emitted into thedistributing pipe system.

,, Since the'details of this accumulator are not material to the invention claimedherein and are fully described in my copending application it need merely be briefly stated herethatthe accu construction 34. The toggle is control-led bythe When'the discharge is completed, :the

head 80. toggle B4 snaps the valve 83 closed and after the spring 8! has been compressed due to the, injection' into the accumulator throughinlet l9; of'af succession of charges irom pump P,, and. ,;the head 83 has thus been moved to the limitof the accumulator charge, the -ttoggle snaps the valve '83 open.

Thus there will be sustained throughout nor- 'mal operation, inthepipe line p connecting by a gauge G as in the embodiment of Figs. 1

and 3 or by an" electric control head as in theembodiment of :Figs. 4 and 5.

It will beunderstood of course that for the gauge of Fig. 6 the'reflmay be substituted an 1 electric circuit closer asin Figs. 4 and'5, re-

low'pre'ssure. Y

sponding to high pressure'due to ,the loading valve, and permittinga signal lamp to light-when the pressure becomes low'."

It will be also understood that insteadbr the a p of the type comprising an intermittently operated pressure gaugeotFigsl and 3, an electric circuit closermay be employdgcontrolling the circuit of'a lamp;or otherJelectric-signal or indicating, device, said signal becoming effective upon It is :to be understood that there may be many changes and modifications made in the construction andthearrangement of the details of my invention without departing from the scope thereof,- and I intendlto include all such variations'as fall within the scope of the appended -claims in this application, in which only the pre- 30 ferred forms of my invention' have been disclosedL-fl V 1 'Having'thus described rny'invention, what I claim'asinewland desire to secureby Letters ,Pat:

entis:''-" w I 7 V 1 .1. ,Inacentral lubricating system, the combination of a source of, lubricant propulsive pressure a pipe} line; a branched distributing pipe system suppliedrtherefrom, a device including an automaticsyst'eminlet trip valve controlling the lubricant propulsion into said distributing system .from said pipe line and'setting up a substantial-counter pressure in the pipe line between the device and'fthesystem; and an indicatorsubjectedto the lubricant pressure in the line between the pressure source and the trip valve device and'registering when-said pressure islbeing ,maintained in said, system, said indicator forming a part of said-lubricating system and said lubric'ating systembeing provided with'means' to indicator to return to relievethe lubricant pressure between said systern inlet valve and said source during the intervals between lubrication operations to enable. said indication of no pressure in the system.

'. 2. In a centralilubricating system the combination of alreservoir, a' source'of lubricant propulsive pressure, a branched distributingpipe system supplied therefrom, a system inlet trip valve controlling the propulsion of lubricant into the fbranchedpart of the distributing system, an outlet check valve atsaid source'of pressure,,a pressure storage; passage between said check valve and said trip va1ve,'and an indicator actuated by the pressure in said passage, said indicator forming a part or said lubricating system and said lubricating system being provided with means to relieve the lubricant pressure between said sys- 1 tem inlet valve and said source during the interindicator to return in the system.

crating pump, an oil reservoir supplying the'late ter, a distributing pipe system having flow .con-

4. Inan automatic :cen-tral lubricatingsystem H V of the type comprising. an intermittently operated pump, a lubricant reservoirQsupplying :the a distributing piping system having branched highly restricted proportioning outlets',-a .resili-" ently discharged accmnulator collecting the in- "termittent discharges from the pumpsand :sus-

taining pressure; the combination rtherewlthrof indicator means comprising a gauge connected between the pump and the accumulator.

5,. In anautomat-ic central flubricating system pump with an outlet, a-lubricant reservoirsup plying the same,a distributlng piping system having'branched outlets, :an accumulator:

inlet .includi-ng'means to effect a resilientflischarge and-a conduit connecting the inlet of the latter to the outlet of the pump;,-the*-combination therewith ofindicator means comprising -8'3gauge connected with said conduit and blee'der'rmea-ns to slowly relieve the pressure after the pump has ceased operation. e e

eration of a vehicle, a chargevaccumulator :sup-

6. In a chassis lubricating system, the cam bination of apump'energizedduringnormal up plied from said pump, a distributing system; a trip valve controlling the emission from saidjab cumulator to said, distributinggsystem, and-.ailow level indicator subjected to the pressure stored between said pump and said tripfvalve andaara ranged to register the falling-oil, of said pressure due to pump operationin the absence of ,ajsup ply of lubricant. a c w ,7 In an installation of th character described, the combination :ofan. automatic intermittently operated sourceof lubricant propulsive pressure,

distributing piping connected therewith andhaving" branched outlets, a valved chamber including a pressure responsive diaphragm conti olled by thedischarge from said pump :to thedistrigbutingjsystem therebeyond positioned ahead of said j piping, indicator 'means. and a circuit' -icloser governing-the latter and controlled by said}dia' phragm. V i

8. In an installation of the character described,

jected to pressure generatedmy saidfpressure:

source and maintained "thereby in open circuit the combination of an automatic intermittently I operated source of pressure, distributing piping connected therewithand-having outlet branches,

condition, said unit having an inIetand -a separate 7 air therein is avoided.

9. A circuit closerunit for I the indicator centralized lubricating system comprising in capsule having a body and a cap, a diaphragm connested between said members, an electric circuit closer contact thereon, acpntact in said body-for cooperation therewith, saidpartsbeing constructoutlet at the upper-ysideythereof "whereby; the Y lubricant is passed therethrough-and' trapping of y tinctoutlet for-escapeof lubricantbothsaidinlet' V E and said outlet being in communication same face of the diaphragm. c

10. In. an installation of {the wlth the scribed, thec'ombinatio'n of a source of liquid, a pressure pump, a pump actuatinglagency, a distributing system supplied from the pump having outlet branches; means in said system in advance of said outlets responding to pressure resulting from operationof said pump in the presence of liquid, electric circuit closer contacts controlled by. said pressure responsive means and normally maintained open thereby, resilient means for closing the circuit through said contacts upon discontinuance of pump pressure during continued operation of the pump, an alarm in said circuit, and means for rendering the alarm circuit inactive when the pump is out of operation.

11.v In a chassis lubricatingsystem the combination of a lubricant distributing system comprising an automatic reciprocating pump supplying lubricant to said systemya valved chamber a receiving the discharge fromsaid pump, aspring a contact unit having a-movable contact subjected to the pressure between said pump and said spring valve and normally retained thereby in open circuit relation, and adapted to close the circuit as a result of operation of the system in the absence of a supply of lubricant from said pump. r

12. In a chassis lubricating system, the combination of a lubricant distributing system comprising an automatic reciprocating pump supplying lubricant to said system, a valved chamber receiving the discharge from said pump, a spring valve controlling the exit from said chamber to the distributing system, an indicator'including a contact unit having a movable contactsubjected to the pressure between said pump and said spring valve and normally retained thereby inopen circuit relation, and adapted to close the circuit as a result of operation of the system in the absence of a supply of lubricant from" said pump, the source of energy for operating the indicator upon'closure of the contacts being controlled from one of the electric accessories of lubricant to a plurality of bearings comprisinga lubricant reservoir, a lubricant pump interconnected with the operating vehicle for automatic operation thereby, .a valved chamber supplied from said pump, .a resilient discharge arrangement associated with said chamber, a branched distributing system leading therefrom to the bearings, a circuit closerbetween the pump and chamber and retained in open circuit position, a, batteryior energizing said indicator, and an ignitionswitch, one terminal of the circuit closer being in circuit with the ignition switch.

14. In a chassis lubricating system for an automotive vehicle' with an electric installation, the combination of a source of lubricant propulsive pressure, a distributing system supplied therefrom, indicating means subjected to the lubricant pressure from said source, said indicating means including a storage chamber through which lubricant flows from said source to said system, said chamber being provided with a valved inlet, a valved outlet and a pressure relief means, electric means for operating said indicating means upon a drop of lubricant propulsive pressure from said source, said electric means being automatically energized by the electric installation of the vehicle, while the vehicle is in use.

15. In a chassis lubricating system for an autopressure chamber during the motive vehicle with an electric'ins t'allation, the combination of a source, of lubricant pressure, a distributing system .suppliedtherefrom including pressure resistant outlets," indicating means subjected to pressure on said system, said indicating means including a storage chamber through which lubricant flows from said source a valved inlet, a valvedoutletand a pressurearelief means, electric means for operating said indicating means whenthe pressure on' the system subsides, said electricmeans being automatically energized .by the electric installationof the'vehicle whilethe vehicle is in use.:

'16.- In a centralized pressure lubricating system of the type in which the pressure in'the branched distributing pipes during operation-is variable and may become very low; a valved pressure chamber having inlet and outlet valve means in. advance *of. the branches of .the distributing system, said outlet valve means serving'as a system inlet valve, andan indicator connected to respond'to the pressure in said chamber, said indicator forming a part of said lubricating sys-' tem and said lubricating system being provided with means to relieve the lubricant pressure between said system inlet valve; andsaid source during-the intervals between lubrication operaa tions' to enable said indicator to return to indicationof no pressure in the system..]

17. Ina centralized lubricatinglfs'ystem,=a disi tributing' pipe. system having highly restricted" drip plug outlets, means for intermittently in-, jecting small charges into said'system with such means to relieve the lubricant pressure ln said lubrication operations.

18.'In an installation of the-character de' l scribed, the combination of an automatic intermittently operated source of pressure, a distributing piping connected therewith and'having intervals, between.

outlet branches, :indicatonmeans including a chamber with a' pressureresponsive unit .subjeoted to pressure generated by said pressure source, said chamber having an inlet and a'separate "outlet at the upper side thereof whereby the lubricant ispassed therethrough and trapping of, air therein is avoided.

19, In an installation of the character described, the combination of a source oflubricant sure in said chamber, said indicator forming a I part of said lubricating system andsaid lubricating system being provided with means to relieve the lubricant pressure between said system inlet valve and said source during the'intervals between'lubrication operations to enable said indicator to return to indication of no pressure in the system. I

20. In a system of the character described, a, n

' 22.' An installation. of the -charaoter'described, zc'o'm'pr'isinga,.source of lubricantia pump ass'o j c iated therewith, a piping system connected with said pumpand having outlet branchcsfia counter pressuredevice in said pipe; system in advance of r :VfalI O fV said branches, vindicatormeans subject to thepressure of said counteripressure device and lieve the lubricantxpressure sbietween"sa 1d" 'sys-- tem :inlet ,valve and Said" source during the insource "of liquid, 3 a tpumpassociatedtherewith,

. branched' rdis'tri buting r -piping system leading tervals between lubrication operations .to enable :s'aid indicator to returntoindication of no :pressure in the system.

p.- 21. An -'insta 1lation;-of the characterdescribed "comprising a source :of, liquid,;pressure generat- ,ing means associated i therewith,-ia piping Isystem connected 'withsaid source and having outle't branches, a. counter pressure device in said pipe system in :advance of :saidbranches determining 1 at pressure -trap, indicator .zmeans actuated "by said counter pressure device, r and automatic bleeder means associated with said counter-pressure device/slowly to relieve :thezpressurefrom said trap. after the .pressuref generating means has' ceased functioning;

' actuated therebyjsaid ,counter pressure device comprising aspiring-seated valve, saidvalvehaw inga .uhighly restricted by-passage affording a leak.;:& 7 I 23.,1An installation of the character :described,

" comprising a source of lubricant, a pump asso ciatedtherewith; a distributing system-connected with said epump and'having outlet branches, :1

counter-pressure arrangementi'in said pipe system rin advance of all .of shidbranchea "indicator SystemLandhaVingJaseat and a highly restricted bypass affording a leak' to slowly relieve pres;

.mean'sj -subject 'to'the pressure of said counter pressure arrangement and actuated thereby,a said counter pressure-i arrangement comprising a valve controlling admission to.- the distributing sure adjacent said seat, "said pressure being-re lieved ,trom said counter pressure' arrangement.

' .24. 'In'an apparatusofthe'character described, the. combination of a source of lubricantf'-under pressure, a distributing system supplied there; 7 ,e irom, .a connection including anoutlet provided V with afvalve interposed between the source and the distributing system,-sa1d' valve closing said outlet whereby/a substantial counter pressure is set up in thecconnection upon feed 'ofilubricant V under pressure 'athereinto from said'source, and J pressure "responsive indicating 'means; actuated by "said counter pressure, said apparatus being provided with means to relieve the lubricantgpres sure from said connection, said apparatus 'being provided with means to operate said valve-at intervals-to permit ilubricant'to flow into said Vdis .tributing system; 1

25. In' \a: central lubricating lnstallation, fa-

branch conduit system having'a slngleinlet and a plurality of :outlets, said' inlet includmg anlindicator connection for indicating the pressure f in said system',,means'for in'j'ecting lubricant un; derr-pressure throughsaid inlet, means maintainingthe: conduit system substantially fi lled with lubricant and valve means 'uponsald inlet regutlatingthe how of; lubricant injected into said system through said inlet and substantially, preventing'reverse flowthrough saidiinlet, said valve havinga highly restricted leaky construction to ielieve'flubricant pressure in the "pipe system.

'26; Ina centralilubricating installation; a branch conduitxsystemhaving asingle inlet and s a plurality of outlets, said inlet includingan -in- 7 dicator connectiondoruindicatlng the pressure in saidsystem, meansfor'injecting :lubricant under pressure through said in'let; means maintaining the conduit systemsubstantially filled W-lthJ-tlbri I cant and valve means at said lzilethavinga leaky construction to :relieve' 'lubricantfpressure in the 'connectiomsaid injecting means'con'sistlng 01 a Dump'and said valve'nieansservingfas the p outlet valve.

127; -In-.*a .central 'lubricatingdn stallation, a

-branch' conduit @systemj having a' single wincludingxwan indicator connection for indiis eating the pressureifln 'said -system; means for injecting lubricant' under pressure through I said :inlet," fmeans maintaining 1 the conduit system substantially filled withlubricantfand' 'valve'means atsald inlet h'aving a leaky construetion to "relieve lubricant pressure in'the'connecs tion, a reservoir being provided and said valve means being so constructed and, arranged as to permit "leak-age from said inlet to said reservoir.-

- 28; In a lubricating;installation,'a' lubricant supply;-a pump,;-a distributionfsystem, ia'n accumulator *forreceiving ll'ilcuticant from' said "pump and supplyingit to said system and means for slowly dissipating or relieving lubricant pressure"" between said pump and said accumulator Qafter stoppage of thejpumplng means.

to s s-silica 

